The Andy Griffith Show is an American sitcom first televised by CBS between October 3, 1960 and April 1, 1968. Andy Griffith portrays a widowed sheriff in a fictional small community of Mayberry, North Carolina. His life is complicated by an inept but well-meaning deputy, Barney Fife , a spinster aunt and housekeeper, Aunt Bee , and a young son, Opie . Local ne'er-do-wells, bumbling pals, and temperamental girlfriends further complicate his life.

Though neither Griffith nor the show won awards during its eight season run, series co-stars Knotts and Bavier accumulated a combined total of six Emmy Awards. The series was a hit, never placing lower than seventh in the Nielsen Ratings and ending its run at number one. The show spawned a spinoff series Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. , a sequel series, Mayberry R.F.D. , and a reunion telemovie, Return to Mayberry . The show's enduring popularity has generated a good deal of show-related merchandise. Reruns currently air across the United States, and the complete series is available on DVD.